Question: As a main part of your job, you design pipes to safely that move oil or gas, and we both know that oil and gas' are running out, where do you see your job going ? Also what will happen to all the pipes after these fuels have run out ?

Neil Taylor answered on 13 Mar 2015:

Hi Ghost!

Very interesting question!

Globally, there is still a lot more oil out there (around two-thirds of the remaining reserves are in the Middle East), and there will still be extraction happening for years to come.

Another point is that, while I do design pipelines, the majority of my work is analysing existing pipelines to make sure that they are operating safely – so there should still be work there. Additionally, there is likely to be a lot of work in decommissioning studies in the future too (dismantling/removing pipelines that will no longer be required).

In terms of my job, but I have an interest in the energy sector generally–for example in the nuclear, and renewable energy sectors. I think in the near future I want to look at opportunities to check out these other fields (which my company is also involved in). We will need to rely on an energy mix that has less fossil fuels and more of (probably) renewable and nuclear power. I think the 21st century is going to be a really exciting time to be an engineer in the energy industry, and it’s somewhere I can really see myself staying!

In terms of the pipes that are already out there, there are a few options:

One of the most exciting prospects for reducing carbon is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This involves capturing the carbon dioxide (Co2) as it leaves a coal or gas power plant and storing it somewhere underground. There is potential for the UK to use the existing pipe infrastructure to transport the Co2 out to the North Sea to store in the reservoirs that the oil and gas has come from… Pretty cool!

The other option is to consider decommissioning the pipelines. This involves performing a study to check out all the various options and working out what is best. The pipe may be then removed, but it may also be left where it is. This is often the case if removing the pipe will cause more environmental damage than if it were left where it is – e.g. disturbing the seabed, damaging habitats etc.

Hope this answers your question!